IAN SWANSON

SIX out of ten city residents back the general principle of 20mph limits in the Capital, according to the council’s annual survey.

A total of 59.2 per cent said they either supported or strongly supported the lower maximum speed while 19.8 per cent were opposed or strongly opposed and 13.6 per cent neither supported nor opposed.

Lesley Hinds said the findings of the survey backed up the results of council consultation exercises. Picture: Greg Macvean

Transport convener Lesley Hinds said the findings of the Edinburgh People Survey, carried out late last year, backed up the results of council consultation exercises.

But Tory transport spokesman Nick Cook said the wording of the question – ‘To what extent do you support or oppose 20mph speed limits in Edinburgh?’ – was too general to genuinely test public opinion on the city’s scheme.

He said: “The survey asks only a general question on residents’ opinion on 20mph speed limits. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it makes no direct reference to the council’s polarising blanket scheme.

“As such, the results do not provide a valid indication of broad public support for the council’s scheme. To suggest otherwise, would, I believe, be misleading.”

Cllr Hinds insisted the 20mph scheme was not a blanket one and argued people knew what they were being asked about.

She said: “People are well aware it is 20mph in residential streets, the city centre and shopping areas. I challenge the Tories to say what their criteria for 20mph limits would be.”